The Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Rosie Award) is chosen annually by students across Indiana in grades nine through twelve. Students at participating high schools and public libraries who read any of approximately 20 nominated books are eligible to rate each book they've read. Ballots are available on the Rosie website. The votes are tabulated each May, and the winner is announced.

The author of each year's award-winning book is invited to receive the Rosie Award in person at a special event sponsored by the Association for Indiana Media Educators and the Indiana Library Federation.

The purpose of the Rosie Award is to encourage high school students to read for fun. It also promotes cooperation between school administrators, media specialists, teachers and public librarians in broadening reading programs. Rosie promotes reading across the curriculum.

Who is Eliot Rosewater?

Eliot Rosewater is a recurring fictional character in Kurt Vonnegut's novels, including God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. Vonnegut is a famous Hoosier author who grew up in Indianapolis. This award was named to honor him and all Indiana writers. The award is often referred to as the "Rosie Award" or "Rosie."

How can my school or public library participate?

Any school in Indiana enrolling students in grades nine through twelve can participate if they:

Make sure at least 12 of the nominated titles are available to students.

Provide voting forms for each student who has read at least one of the nominated books.

Tally their students' voting forms and report the results to the Rosie Award Committee by May 1.

Public libraries are encouraged to purchase and publicize the Rosie books and encourage their students to vote at school. If some of the schools in the library's service area do not participate, those students may vote at the public library. Participating public libraries must also provide at least 12 of the nominated titles.

The following guidelines have been established to assist in the creation of the annual Rosie Wannabe List. The committee has chosen to label these as guidelines, rather than rules, so that exceptions can be made when members of the committee feel strongly that they have found something extraordinary!

Students interested in serving on the Rosie Award Committee should also contact the Indiana Library Federation office at 317-257-2040.

Rosie Membership

Interested in becoming a member of the Eliot Rosewater Committee? Use this form to see if you qualify and to apply. http://goo.gl/7FF04j

Applications close each year on October 31st. New members will be notified by November 7th. If you are not notified by November 7, the committee seats have been filled. Names will not be held over from year to year, so please apply again the next year. Applications will open up Dec 1 of each year.

Rosie Program Materials

You may now order Rosie materials through our online store! Just go to our home page, click on the "Online Store" tab at the top of the page and select "Eliot Rosewater," or click here for a printable form.

2016-2017 Eliot Rosewater Nomination Form: Only 5 submissions per person per day will be accepted.

No more realistic fiction will be accepted until further notice. We are especially looking for submissions in the following areas: urban fiction/street lit, historical fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, non-fiction, story collection, novels in verse, boys and sports.